You think you know Mimi Faust. Most people do. They see the shower rods, the messy love triangles, and the high-definition tears on VH1 and assume they’ve got the full picture. Honestly? You probably don't. While the world was busy meme-ing her life, Oluremi "Mimi" Faust was actually playing a much longer game than anyone gave her credit for.
She didn't just stumble into the spotlight in 2012. By the time the cameras started rolling for the first season of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Mimi had already survived things that would break most people. We’re talking about a woman who was essentially orphaned by a cult at 13.
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The Cult, The Abandonment, and the Real Mimi
Let’s get the facts straight. Mimi wasn’t just a "girlfriend" or a "baby mama" looking for a check. Her backstory is heavy. At eight years old, her mother moved her to California and signed a billion-year contract with Scientology. Yes, billion with a B. When Mimi refused to sign her own life away at 13, the church told her she was a "freeloader."
They kicked her out.
Imagine that. 13 years old, no parents, nowhere to go. She had to learn self-reliance before she even had a driver's license. She worked, she finished school, and she built a life. This isn't just reality TV fodder; it’s the foundation of why she stayed with Stevie J for so long. When you’ve been abandoned by your own mother for a religion, you tend to cling to the family you’ve managed to build, even if that family is, well, Stevie J.
Mimi Love and Hip Hop: The Stevie J Era
The core of mimi love and hip hop fascination has always been her 15-year rollercoaster with Grammy-winning producer Stevie J. It was toxic. It was addictive. It was great television. But what people miss is the complexity of their history.
Stevie didn't just meet her at a club. They had a child, Eva Giselle Jordan, born in 2009. By the time the show started, they were already a decade deep. Then came Joseline Hernandez. The "Puerto Rican Princess" wasn't just a side chick; she was a wrecking ball to Mimi’s sense of security.
- The Therapy Session: Remember the scene where Stevie sat between Mimi and Joseline? That wasn't just scripted drama. It was a visual representation of Mimi trying to hold onto the father of her child while he was clearly moving on.
- The Rolex and the BMW: Stevie used gifts as currency. Mimi eventually realized that a watch doesn't make up for a lack of respect.
- The "Maid" Comment: Joseline famously called Mimi a maid because of her cleaning business. Instead of just crying, Mimi turned that around and launched a brand called MADE (Make A Difference Everyday).
That 2014 Video Scandal
We have to talk about Nikko Smith. Or Nikko London. Whatever he’s calling himself these days. In 2014, the "sex tape" happened. For a long time, Mimi and Nikko claimed it was "stolen" from their luggage.
The truth came out later: it was staged.
Mimi eventually admitted that the whole thing was a calculated move to secure her financial future. Was it a mistake? Maybe. But she walked away with a reported $100,000 and a massive spike in relevance. In the world of reality TV, that’s just business. It showed a different side of her—a woman willing to get her hands dirty (and her reputation bruised) to ensure her daughter would never be homeless like she was at 13.
Where is Mimi Faust in 2026?
Fast forward to today. The chaos of the early 2010s is mostly in the rearview mirror. Mimi has shifted from reality TV firebrand to a focused entrepreneur and "mom-ager." She’s still very much a fixture in Atlanta, but her priorities have flipped.
She’s no longer chasing Stevie around a studio. She’s actually been quite vocal about the work she did to become "drama-free." Her daughter, Eva, is growing up—recently attending her first homecoming dance, which Mimi shared with a level of pride that makes it clear where her heart is.
Business Beyond the Screen
Mimi didn't just let her cleaning business, Keep It Clean Inc., die out once the VH1 checks got big. She expanded. She’s currently working on a children’s fashion line, inspired by Eva’s style.
- Public Speaking: Mimi is a frequent guest at events like the Dallas Women's Expo. She speaks on "Relationships Matter," focusing on healing and personal growth.
- Interior Design: Her artistic roots (her biological father was an artist) led her into the world of luxury home staging and decor.
- The Tell-All: There have been whispers for years about a book. Given her history with Scientology and the behind-the-scenes reality of the LHHATL "golden years," it’s likely to be a heavy hitter if it ever hits the shelves.
Why We Still Care About Mimi
The reason mimi love and hip hop remains a high-traffic search term isn't just because of the drama. It’s because Mimi represents a very specific type of resilience. She wasn’t the "villain" like Joseline or the "boss" like Rasheeda. She was the person many women saw themselves in—the one who loved too hard, stayed too long, but eventually found the exit.
She’s human. She makes bad calls. She dates the wrong guys. But she also takes care of her business.
Honestly, the "weak" label people gave her in Season 1 was always a lie. You don't survive a cult and build a multi-million dollar brand by being weak. You do it by being strategic. Mimi is a survivor who figured out how to turn her trauma into a paycheck, and her paycheck into a legacy for her daughter.
Actionable Insights for the "Mimi Journey"
If you’re looking at Mimi’s life and trying to figure out how to navigate your own chaos, here’s the blueprint she inadvertently left behind:
- Own Your Narrative: Mimi eventually admitted the Nikko tape was staged. Owning the truth is better than living a lie that everyone can see through.
- Pivot the Insults: When someone calls you a "maid," build a cleaning empire. Use the negativity as fuel for your next venture.
- The "Exit" is Mandatory: You can love someone for 15 years, but if they aren't growing, you have to leave. Mimi’s life didn't truly start until she stopped being "Stevie’s girl."
- Financial Independence is Peace: Keep your side hustle. Mimi’s cleaning business was her safety net when the show’s future was uncertain. Never rely on a single stream of income—especially if that stream comes from a TV producer.
Mimi Faust isn't just a reality star. She’s a case study in how to survive the spotlight without losing your soul—or your business.